Golf club head



Oct. 19, 1965 I J BRADLEY ETAL 3,212,783

GOLF CLUB HEAD Filed May 21, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 doc/(J00 D. Brad/6y fro/pfi A. Fa/zz INVENTORS gm F Aided, BY 0 ATTO/P/VEYJ Oct. 19, 1965 J. D. BRADLEY ETAL 3,212,783

GOLF CLUB HEAD Filed May 21, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 at! 4 \w 40M BY QM W4 United States Patent 3,212,783 GOLF CLUB HEAD Jackson D. Bradley, 6003 Pine Forest, and Ralph A. Foltz, 5503 Jackson, both of Houston, Tex. Filed May 21, 1962, Ser. No. 196,346 Claims. (Cl. 273-171) The present application is a continuation-in-part of United States application Serial No. 763,676, filed September 26, 1959, entitled Golf Club With Rearwardly Extending Face Plate Reinforcement To Concentrate Hammer Blow Impact, now abandoned, and United States application Serial No. 129,128 filed August 3, 1961, entitled Golf Clubs With Integrally Connected Hose], Face and Toe Plates Re-Enforced by Gussett Means, now abandoned. i

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in golf club heads. More particularly, the present invention relates to improvements in a golf club head of the so called woods.

The heads of conventional wood clubs, formerly the driver, brassy and spoon, and now, ordinarily, numbered 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, as well as other and'hig her numbers, have been made of wood, such as persimmon, pressed woods and the like, to which the striking face insert and sole plate are secured by wood screws. The hosel of the club head is conventionally formed of the wood material of the head into which the shaft of the club is placed. In many of these club heads weights are added under the sole plate for providing different swing weight-s. Thus, the weights are scattered about the club head by the wood screws and weights resulting in a club head that is not perfectly balanced and in which the weight of the head is not centered behind the impactpoint of the club head. Since these clubs are exposed to all kinds of weather conditions, the face plate and sole plate become loose due to expansion and contraction. These clubs do not have maximum strength and durability and minimum troque and vibration since they are made up of many pieces screwed together and the shaft. is connected to the head by the wood hosel.

While these clubs have been and are presently in wide- 1 impact point of the face plate and in which there is perfect balance from toe to heel which avoids any tendency of the club to be opened or closed at impact, and which at the same time provides a maximum amount of weight at the bottom of the club for ease in getting the ball up in the air. It would be highly desirable also to provide such a golf club head which is readily and easily adjustable as to swing Weight without changing this perfect balance and ideal Weight distribution. The present invention is directed to such a .golf club head. 1

It would be highly desirable also to provide such a golf club head by which a plastic material may be substituted for the wood so that the club head" in addition to the above features would be completely resistant to moisture and would not be subject to repeated swelling with moisture and subsequent drying out resulting in cracking and ultimate breakage such as in conventional Wooden club heads, in which the weight of the club head does not change with the amount of moisture present and in which perfect balance and ideal weight distribution is provided. The present invention is also directed to such a golf club head.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a golf club head of the wood type which is of great intrinsic strength and durability and in which a minimum of separate parts secured together are utilized.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a golf club head of the wood type of great intrinsic strength and durability and one in which separate inserts, sole plates and the like are not screwed to the club head.

Yet a further object of the present invention is the provision of a golf club head of the wood type which has extremely high impact strength and in which the effective force of the club head is centered at impact on the ball with a minimum of torque and vibration.

Yet a further object of the present invention is the provision of a golf club head which is perfectly balanced and in which the weight distribution is ideal in that the effective force of the weight is positioned behind the impact point of the striking face and perfect balance is maintained from toe to heel avoiding any tendency of the club head to be opened or closed at impact yet in which the major portion of the weight is provided at the bottom of the head resulting in ease of getting the ball up into the air.

Yet a further object of the present invention is the provision of such a golf club head having perfect balance and ideal weight distribution in which the adjustments in swing weight desired by the individual user may readily be made while maintaining this perfect balance and ideal weight distribution.

Yet a further-object of the present'invention is the provision of a golf club head of the wood type. which is completely resistant to moisture-and not subject to repeated swelling with moisture and subsequent drying out and, yet one which is perfectly balanced and has an ideal weight distribution. -Yet a-further-object of the present invention'is the provision of a golf club head which has an integral insert including a hosel, striking face plate and sole plate about which may be formed the remainder of the club head portion..

Yet a further object of the present invention is the provision of an insert for a golf club head including an integrated hosel, striking face insert, sole plate and hammer impacting member extending rearWardly from the face plate about which insert the remainder of the club head portion can be formed.

Yet a further object of the present invention is the provision of such an insert which has integrated bracing members combined with the hosel, faceplate and sole plate by which maximum'strength is obtained, ideal weight distribution is obtained, in. which vibration is distributed at impact with the ball and in which torque is minimized.

Yet a further object' of the present invention is the provision of such an insert which'utilizes a weight assembly by which the swing weight of the golf club head can be changed 'to fit the requirements of the individual without changing its perfect balance and ideal weight distribution.

Yet a further object of the present invention is the provision of such an integrated insert in which there is perfect balance from toe to heel with substantial weight placed behind the impact point of the striking face plate with the center of the weight being below the center point of the face of the golf club head.

Yet a further object of the present invention is the provision of a screwless golf club head of the wood type with the exception of the set screw for securing the shaft in the hosel.

Yet a further object of the present invention is the provision of a unitary golf head of the wood type which is essentially of a two piece construction comprised of an integrally-formed insert including hosel, face plate, sole plate and impact force member extending rearwardly from the face plate and the other portion including a plastic material molded about and to the insert and forming the remainder of the golf club head.

Yet a further object of this invention is the provision of such a golf club head of essentially two piece construction which includes a swing weight changing assembly rigidly secured to the insert by which changes in swing weight can easily be made.

Other and further objects, features and-advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of presently preferred embodiments thereof, given for the purpose of disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which likereference characters designate like parts throughout the several views, and where,

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view, with parts broken away, illustrating a golf club head according to the present invention,

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the integrated insert of the golf club head of FIGURE 1 which is viewed in the direction of line 2-2 of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the insert looking downwardly along the line 33 of FIGURE 2,

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3,

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of the weight assembly as illustrated in FIGURE 4,

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to that of FIGURE 3 illustrating a modification of the insert according to the invention, and I FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of FIGURE 6. 1

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGURE 1, a golf club head 10 is illustrated which preferably is formed of a suitable plastic material 12 molded about an integral insert generally designated by the reference numeral 14. The club head 10 may be of any desired shape and includes the horizontal grooving 16 across its face 18. The club head 10 is generally formed of the two components which include'the insert 14 and the plastic material molded about and to it to complete the formation of the club head.

The plastic material may be of any desired material which will withstand the various conditions of use. Preferably, the plastic material is a moldable plastic which when set is tough and durable, for example, various epoxy resins. One such resin which is available on the market is sold under the designation Kralastic by the United States Rubber Company.

Referring now to FIGURES 2 and 3, the insert 14 is illustrated without the remainder of the body portion 12 formed about it. The insert is an integral unit and includes the hosel 20, the striking face plate 22, the sole plate 24, and a hammer-like force-imparting member 26, here shown generally in the form ofa rib, extending rearwardly from the'face plate 22 and provided with the enlarged boss 28 at its rearward or trailing ,end. The

rib 26 extends upwardly a substantial distance at its ing end of the rib 26 at its lower portion is integral with the sole plate 24; however, if desired, the sole plate may extend rearwardly a portion of the bottom of the club rather than the entire distance, as shown.

In order to provide additional strength, to distribute the vibration from the impact with theball and to provide weight distribution to avoid any undesired tendency of the club head to open or close or to remain open or closed during the swing, the pair of braces 30 and 32 is provided. As best seen in FIGURE 3, the brace 30 is integrally formed at an angle between the hosel 20 and the striking face plate 22 and with the sole plate 24, and the brace 32 is angularly disposed between the outer edge of the face plate 22 and an outer edge of the sole plate 24. The braces 30 and 32 vare generally in the form of flanges and, preferably, the brace 32 extends upwardly to the top 34 of the face plate 22 and tapers downwardly in a rearward direction for the purpose of providing additional strength. In addition, the bracing member 32 is somewhat larger than the bracing member 30 and has sufiicient mass to adjust the weight distribution between .the toe and the heel of the club to counteract the additional weight of the heel side of the club due to the mass of material forming the hosel 20. Thus, for example, if more weight were distributed toward the heel side or hosel side of the club head or toward the toe side of the club head, the club head would have a tendency to strike the ball in open or closed position imparting slice'or hook spin to the ball. By providing the force imparting member 26 behind the center of the striking face plate 22, and by adjusting the mass of the braces 30 and 32, perfectly centered and distributed weight and balance of the club is advantageously maintained. In addition, if desired the club head maybe weighted more at one position than another, for example, the toe end, by adjusting the mass of the bracing members 30 and 32. Thus, any desired weight distribution is readily and easily obtained.

In order to provide the desired weight to the club head, and as illustrated in FIGURES 2, 3 and 4, the boss 28 and a portion of the rib 26 are drilled to receive the weight assembly generally designated by the reference numeral 36.

The details of the weight assembly 36 are best illustrated in FIGURE 5, to which reference is now made, and include a generally tubular body 38 which is provided with an enlarged head 40 at its outer end and an externally-threaded area 42 adjacent the head 40 by which it is securely threaded into the threaded area 44 in the boss 28 so that it is rigidly maintained in position. A suitably shaped opening 46 is provided in the head 40 and the body 38 for receiving a wrench, for example, an Allen wrench, for screwing the body 38 into and out of the boss 28.

The internal portion of the tubular body 38 preferably is threaded to receive the lock nut 48 provided with the wrench opening 50, such as an Allen wrench opening, so that the lock nut 48 may be threaded into the tubular body 38 at any desired distance. One or more weights 52 and 54 of varying weight are provided in the interior of the tubular body 38 and securely maintained in position by the lock nut 48. The weights 52 and 54 may be of the same or different weight and size so that suitable adjustment of the swing weight can be made.

Thus, suitable adjustments in weight can be readily and easily made to vary the swing weight to suit the individual preference of the golfer by merely unscrewing the body 38 from the boss 28 of the insert 14, then unscrewing the lock nut 48 and either adding or subtracting the number of weights or substituting different weights to bring the final swing weight of the club as desired. In the arrangement illustrated, each weight 52 and 54 changes the swing weight one point or one-tenth of an swing weight, yet at the same time, the weight is centered directly behind the center point of the face plate 22 and yet at a relatively low point in the club head to provide perfect balance, ideal weight distribution and a low center of gravity.

In some instances, it may be desirable to add additional weight initially to the club head. For example, the Nos. 2, 3, 4, and 5 woods ordinarily are progressively heavier than the No. 1 or driver. Thus, the additional required weight is added by fixing such a weight 56, for example lead, through the hole 57 on the force imparting member 26 with the strap 59 extending over the top thereof as shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, although it may otherwise be added.

If desired, the force imparting means which applies the hammer force directly behind and centrally of a vertical axis behind the impact point of the face plate 22 and the boss 28 may be substantially of the same size and shape throughout their combined length. Such an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGURES 6 and 7, to which reference is now made, and in which the reference letter a has been added to numerals designating parts corresponding to those of the preceding views.

Thus, as seen in FIGURE 6, the force imparting member 26a and boss 28a are generally merged into one and are of the same general size and shape and are in the form of an enlarged rib extending rearwardly and downwardly converging from the face plate 22a. In this instance, the weight assembly 36 is disposed wholly within the merged boss 28a and rib 26a which provides additional strength. Sufficient mass is provided by this arrangement so that ordinarily the additional weighting materials, such as indicated at 56 in FIGURES 2 and 3 is unnecessary; although, additional weight may similarly be applied, if desired. In this arrangement, however, the weight adjustments between the various woods, as well as the final weight adjustments to suit the individual golfers, are adjusted by the weights in the weight assembly 36a as previously described. Again, however, it is noted that the weight is directly behind and centrally located with respect to the insert 22 thereby providing perfect balance and ideal weight distribution.

As illustrated in FIGURES 1-3, inclusive, an enlargement 58 may be provided at the upper end of the hosel 20 to form a termination point for the molded body portion 12 of the club head. If desired, the enlargement 58 may be omitted and the usual wrapping of wood clubs provided at the juncture between the upper end of the molded body portion 12 about the hosel 20 of the insert 14. If desired, the enlargement may be extended as shown at 58a in FIGURE 6.

As best seen in FIGURE 1, a boss or enlargement 60 is provided adjacent the lower heel portion of the hosel 20 which is threaded and threadedly receives the set screw 62 for firmly securing the shaft in the bore of the hosel 20. This is the only screw required in the construction of this golf head.

Any suitable light metal or alloy may be used for the insert 14. Preferably, the metal or alloy should be one which can be cast as an integral mass. Among those suitable for use are magnesium which has a specific gravity of about 1.739 and aluminum which has a specific gravity of about 2.70 or alloys thereof. Thus, the insert is formed as a casting and then the plastic is molded about the cast insert 14 by placing the latter into a suitable mold with the plastic about it. It is only necessary that the material of the insert be strong and tough, of the desired weight requirements, have a certain amount of resilience and, preferably, be of a material that may be cast into the shape of the insert 14.

The braces or webs 30 and 32, the rib like member 26, the boss 28, and the projections 64 upstanding on the upper surface of the sole plate 24 together with the generally cylindrical enlargement 58 at the upper terminal end of the hosel 20 all serve as frame members for assisting in molding a solid body portion of plastic to the insert so that the club head constitutes a single integrated unitary mass. Preferably, the height of the plastic about the hosel 20 should be a minimum to prevent cracking or breaking of the plastic due to the whipping or flexing action of the resilient metal of the hosel 20. In addition, too long a layer of plastic wouldtend to dampen the flexing action of the hosel 20. Preferably, the height of the plastic about the hosel 20 should not be over one inch to avoid any cracking or breaking of the plastic and to provide full whip-lash action of the club head.

While a relatively light, tough moldable plastic material, such as the polymerized resins, is preferred to complete thet club head, the insert may be utilized in other materials, such as wood, for example persimmon and pressed woods, used to complete the club head. In using wood, however, there would need to be some type of attaching means for attaching the insert to the wood portion of the club head and the wood portion would not extend around the hosel 20 of the club head.

The present invention is therefore Well suited and adapted to attain the objects and ends and has the advantages and features mentioned as well as others inherent therein.

While presently-preferred examples of the invention have been given for the purpose of disclosure, changes may be made which are within the spirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a golf club head, an integrally-formed, metal insert including, a hosel arranged to firmly receive the shaft, a sole plate disposed at the bottom of the hosel and extending outwardly and rearwardly therefrom, a striking face plate extending from a forward edge of the sole plate, a force imparting member integral with and extending rearwardly from the face plate and integral with and extending upwardly from the sole plate, said force imparting member being disposed centrally with respect to a vertical axis extending through the impact area of the face plate, a first brace extending from the inner portion of the face plate -to the hosel, and a second brace at the outer portion of the face plate extending outwardly and rearwardly and tapering downwardly and integral with the sole plate, said second brace have a mass sufiicient to counterbalance the heel portion of the head when the insert is combined with the remainder of the golf club head.

2. The golf club head of claim 1 including a light, tough plastic bonded to the insert and forming the remainder of the club head.

3. The club head of claim 2 including variable weight means removably disposed within the trailing end of the force imparting member and disposed centrally with respect to the vertical axis thereof for adjusting the swing weight of the club head.

4. In a golf club head, an integrally-formed metal insert including, a hosel arranged to firmly receive a shaft, a sole plate disposed at the bottom of the hosel and extending outwardly and rearwardly therefrom, a striking face plate upstanding from a forward edge of the sole plate, a force-imparting, rib-like member integral with and extending rearwardly from the face plate and integral with and extending upwardly from the sole plate, said rib-like member being disposed centrally with respect to a vertical axis extending through the impact area of the face plate and tapering downwardly and rearwardly from a point on the face plate above the center thereof, a first brace formed between an inner portion of the face plate and the hosel and extending upwardly from the sole plate, interconnecting the face plate, the hosel and the sole plate, and a second brace extending substantially the entire vertical length of the outer portion of the face plate and extending rearwardly and outwardly to the sole plate, 'said second brace tapering downwardly in a rearward direction and interconnecting the outer portion of the face plate and the sole plate at its lower portion, said second brace having a mass sufficient to counterbalance the heel portion of the head when the heel portion is combined with the remainder of the golf club head.

5. The golf club head of claim 4 including a light, tough plastic securely bonded to the insert and forming the remainder of the golf club head.

6. The golf club head of claim 5 including variable weighting means removably disposed in the rearward portion of the golf club head and centrally with respect to the vertical axis'of the force imparting member.

7. In a golf club head, an integrally formed, strong insert ;includin'g, a sole-plate, a striking face plate upstanding'from a forward edge of the sole plate, a hosel integral with and extending from the inner portion of the sole plate, the hosel provided with a passage extending substantially throughout its length and arranged to firmly receive a portion of a shaft, said hosel completely encircling the passage throughout its length and the portion of the shaft when inserted therein, and a force imparting member integral with and extending rearwardly from the face plate, said force imparting member being disposed centrally with respect to a vertical axis extending through the impact area of the face plate.

8. The golf club head of claim 7 including a light, tough plastic bonded to said insert forming the remainder of the club head.

9 In a golf club head, an integrally formed strong insert including, a sole plate, a striking face plate upstanding from a forward edge .of the sole plate, a hosel integral with and extending from an inner portion of the 8 sole plate, the hosel provided with a passage extending substantially throughout its length for firmly receiving a shaft, the hosel completely surrounding the passage and the portion of the shaft when inserted in the passage, a first brace extending angularly and rearwardly between the face plate and the hosel and upwardly from the sole plate interconnecting the hosel, the face plate and the sole plate, and a second brace extending angularly and rearwardly from the outer portion of the face plate to the outer edge portion of the sole plate interconnecting the outer portions of the faceplate and the sole plate, the second brace tapering downwardly in a rearward direction'and being of a mass sufiicient to counterbalance the mass of the heel portion of the head when the insert is combined with the remainder of the golf club head.

10. The golf club head of claim 9 including a light, tough plastic firmly secured to the insert and forming the balance of the golf club head.

References Cited by the Examiner v UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/15 Govan 273-171 1,526,438 2/25 Scott' 27380.2 1,574,213 2/26 Tyler 27380.2 2,198,981 4/40 Sullivan 273-l71 2,346,617 4/44 Schaffer 27380.2

FOREIGN PATENTS 24,834 1903 Great Britain. 194,823 3/ 23 Great Britain.

DELBERT B. LOWE, Primary Examiner.

JAMES W. LOVE, Examiner. 

1. IN A GOLF CLUB HEAD, AN INTEGRALLY-FORMED, METAL INSERT INCLUDING, A HOSEL ARRANGED TO FIRMLY RECEIVE THE SHAFT, A SOLE PLATE DISPOSED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HOSEL AND EXTENDING OUTWARDLY AND REARWARDLY THEREFORM, A STRIKING FACE PLATE EXTENDING FROM A FORWARD EDGE OF THE SOLE PLATE, A FORCE IMPARTING MEMBER INTEGRAL WITH AND EXTENDING REARWARDLY FROM THE FACE PLATE AND INTEGRAL WITH AND EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM THE SOLE PLATE, SAID FORCE IMPARTING MEMBER BEING DISPOSED CENTRALLY WITH RESPECT TO A VERTICAL AXIS EXTENDING THROUGH THE IMPACT AREA OF THE FACE PLATE, A FIRST BRACE EXTENDING FROM THE INNER PORTION OF THE FACE PLATE TO THE HOSEL, AND A SECOND BRACE AT THE OUTER PORTION OF THE FACE PLATE EXTENDING OUTWARDLY AND REARWARDLY AND TAPERING DOWNWARDLY AND INTEGRAL WITH THE SOLE PLATE, SAID SECOND BRACE HAVE A MASS SUFFICIENT TO COUNTERBALANCE THE HEEL PORTION OF THE HEAD WHEN THE INSERT IS COMBINED WITH THE REMAINDER OF THE GOLF CLUB HEAD. 